DIALOGUE OF TWO CROSSES

This article is from Issue 34 of “On The Move,” a publication of new learning possibilities for churches, at one time published by The Joint Board of Christian Education of Australia and New Zealand.
Although some ideas and liturgies may appear somewhat “dated” in style, concept, imagery or language, they may nevertheless offer a spring-board for new ideas among people who find themselves leading worship, perhaps in a new context, and with some trepidation.
Reproduced by permission. May be printed for use in local congregations only.

On Palm Sunday evening people from several Christian traditions worshipped together in St. John’s Anglican Church, East Malvern. It was a special service for the regional Inter-church Council. It became a memorable event in inter-church conversation when we heard the…
DIALOGUE OF TWO CROSSESRev. David Conolly

1 Two crosses.., one laden,
2 one empty.
1 Two crosses that speak to us of tragedy
2 and triumph
1 of death
2 and of life,
1 of redemption
2 and of resurrection.
1 The crucifix.., the Catholic cross
2 The empty cross of the Reformation.
1 & 2 TWO CROSSES THAT TELL ONE STORY.
1 Mine is the cross of the Rosary and the Confessional.
2 Mine is the Old Rugged Cross of the Billy Graham Crusade.
1 & 2 TWO CROSSES THAT TELL ONE STORY.
1 My cross shows a Saviours love, a love which took him even to death for me and for all people.
2 My cross shows the Saviour s power over sin and death, and assures me of victory, available to all.
1 & 2 TWO CROSSES THAT TELL ONE STORY.
1 The crucified Jesus calls me to take up my cross daily, and follow him.
2 The risen Lord calls me to live a new kind of life, risen with him.
1 We must nail to the cross all our sinful ways.
2 We must look to new and creative purposes.
1 We must die to sin
2 and rise again to righteousness.
1 Every day we die a little
2 and every day we grow a little.
1 & 2 DEATH AND RESURRECTION ARE THE ESSENCE OF EVERYTHING.
1 Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies,
2 it yields a rich harvest.
1 The night is darkest
2 before the morn.
1 When the pain is sorest
2 the child is born.
1 & 2 ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT;
1 but anyone who loses his life for my sake,
2 and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it.
1 I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.
2 I am the resurrection and I am life. If a man has faith in me, even though he die, he shall come to life.
1 Lord, your people are in pain and dying.
2 Lord, life must go on; it is your gift to us.
1 Crucified Lord, help us to enter into your sufferings, offering our own pain and sin to you.
2 Risen Lord, give us grace yo live in trust and hope, as new-born children.
1 Lord, redeem our world
2 by the power of your risen life.
1 & 2 AND DRAW US TOGETHER IN UNITY, SO THAT WE CAN SHOW YOU TO YOUR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.
1 Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
ALL: CHRIST HAS DIED! CHRIST IS RISEN! CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN!